Rhodri Morgan says there were two potential sites for the planned new BBC Wales HQ five years ago, one in Cardiff Bay

Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan has claimed the Welsh Government spent £10m on a new road in Cardiff Bay on the understanding that BBC Wales’ new headquarters would be built there.

The BBC says Mr Morgan is mistaken.

Writing on WalesOnline today, the former Cardiff West AM says he held talks with former athlete and rugby international Nigel Walker when he was project director for the BBC drama village at Roath Basin.

According to Mr Morgan, there were two potential sites for the planned new BBC Wales HQ five years ago: one at Roath Basin and the other at a recently shut factory in Penarth Road, Cardiff.

“The suggestion that a single individual in the BBC could make such a commitment doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.

“Our decision – announced this week – to relocate our HQ in Wales followed years of careful analysis by a wide range of staff across the BBC, and an open competitive tender process that included more than a dozen potential locations across Cardiff. We believe our decision to relocate to Capital Square will deliver a significant economic and creative dividend to Wales, strengthening Wales’ credentials as a world-class production centre.

“The BBC retains a significant presence in Cardiff Bay with bases at Hoddinott Hall and Roath Lock. We would also note that the development of Wales as a major centre of BBC Drama – with the support of the Welsh Government – has delivered more than £150m of programme investment in Wales over the past three years.”

A senior BBC insider said: “It’s sad to see such an ungracious response to the second major BBC investment in Wales.”

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